Tamarian

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Tamarians are humanoids. Compared to humans, there are some physical differences. The species has elongated thumbs, vertical nostrils, and no ear lobes. They have three ridges running along their heads. Tamarians have hairless bodies and white blood. (TNG: "Darmok")

The dagger is called, Betoken of Uzani. In lore, Uzani was the first to give his children the blade at "the time when the birds fly." At age 10, males are sent into the wilderness alone, with only the knife as a tool. It is a right of passage to adulthood. (Star Trek: Independence "Crimes and Shadows")

In one practice, they remove objects from their clothing, touch their forehead, and place the items around their body as they sleep.

Another observed ceremony is a type of death ritual. They remove their knifes, touch the blade, then touch their forehead, when a person dies. (TNG: "Darmok")

In some areas, including engineering and weaponry, the Tamarians are slightly more advanced than the Federation.

Tamarian phasers are more powerful than Starfleet’s Type XII phasers. Their phasers were able to cause a Galaxy class’ shields to fail, after three discharges. The attack from the Galaxy class caused minimal damage to the Tamarian vessel.

The written language consists of horizontal and vertical lines, with letters written around them. The Tamarians still use paper, in some instances.

The spoken word is very unusual. Tamarians speak, and think, in metaphors. They draw off their myths and stories, and use examples from them to communicate thoughts and ideas. That is one reason why it took so long for the Federation to have a successful dialog with the race.